Big Week Begins; Kickoff Times Set; Other Notes

Yep, the big week is here. Today is prep day for those like me, and then tomorrow the circus is in town – SEC Media Days, that annual shindig at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. I’ll actually be leaving with Parrish Alford this evening and will be staying all three days.

So we’ll have plenty of coverage for you. In the meantime, there are a few more items to note this morning.

• We’ve learned of a couple of kickoff times. MSU’s season opener versus Jackson State on Sept. 1 will start at 6 p.m. and be televised by Fox Sports Net (and stream on ESPN3.com). The Sept. 8 home game against Auburn starts at 11 a.m. and will be on ESPN.

And as we already know, the Sept. 15 road game against Troy is a 6 p.m. start on ESPN3.com only. So that’s what we have for now, the first three weeks’ kickoff times. Make a note of it.

• The watch lists keep on coming. MSU senior linebacker Cam Lawrence can be found on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Offensive lineman Gabe Jackson is on the list for the Lombardi Award, and I’m not sure what that award is for, because there are offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers and tight ends on that list.

• Former MSU pitcher Chris Stratton made his pro debut last night, allowing one run on one hit in two innings. He was on a pitch count (CLICK HERE).